"Never be afraid to try something new because life gets boring"
-Korra Shay-

"Ugh, can we go?" Maya asks as she fans herself while Reid places the ball in the machine that throws it to Derek allowing him to hit the ball perfectly with his metal baseball bat. "You see my hips?" Derek asks Reid as he swings back and forth.

"You swing right through, nice and easy" Derek teaches while Reid watches from afar. "Yeah, nice and easy. Keep doing that" Maya cheers, making Derek laugh at her banter.

"You want to try?" Derek asks as he runs over to Reid and Maya who joined Derek on his baseball practice, trying to get Reid to do it. "Me?" Maya asks and Derek nods his head, handing Maya the bat. "I don't do sports" Maya says, pushing the bay away from her presence.

"Reid?" Derek asks and Reid shakes his head, "You know I don't do sports, and this isn't what I had in mind when I said I owed you one" Reid whines making Derek scoff.

"You act like this is torture" Derek declares. "It is. You got me out here in the heat" Maya says as she fans herself, trying to cool herself down. "Well, you are hot" Derek jokes flirtatiously, "Just give me the bat" Maya states, snatching the bat from Derek's hands and handing him her sunglasses as she walks to the home base.

"This shouldn't be that hard" Maya sighs, whispering to herself as she watches the ball come towards her and swings her bat, making ball go far but not that far. "This is too much!" Maya states as she looks down at her black boots, "My boots are getting sand all of them" Maya calls out, kicking her feet one at a time.

"Just try it again! That was good!" Derek shouts as he grabs the basket of balls. "Why do I have to be here if she's going to play?" Reid asks, "Because this is fun and you owe me" Derek says, patting Reid on the back before he places the ball in the pitching machine that sends ball towards Maya who hits it with her bat, sending it a little farther than last time.

"That was good!" Derek cheers as Maya walks back over to the boys. "Reid, your turn" Maya says as she hands the bat to Reid.

"My memories of sports aren't very pleasant. Besides, you're good enough to play in the game with Morgan" Reid states while sadly holding the bat in his hands when suddenly Maya's phone starts to ring. Maya grabs her phone and sees a text from Garcia, "We got a case" Maya informs and Reid drops the bay happily.

"Oh, thank god" Reid mumbles before he gathers his stuff from the stands. "You actually did pretty good. You should play the game tomorrow" Derek suggests as he packs up his stuff. "With a bunch of men?" Maya asks and Derek shrugs, "Yeah. Just come and show out" Derek states and Maya chuckles softly.

"Yeah, yeah. I'll think about it" Maya concludes.

_____

The team meets up at the BAU to go over the recent case. Brutal beating death, suffocation, and sexual assault. The victim was a runaway and a prostitute which makes her a very high-risk victim and our unsub a sadist with the amount of damage on the victim.

"A lot of violence" Maya declares as she looks through the crime scene photos and even some ME reports. "We're there any other victims?" Reid wonders.

"Yes, actually, but not the human variety. In the last month, 6 puppies have been suffocated and beaten and thank god there are no photos, because I draw the line at dead dogs" Garcia rants and Maya sighs, wondering if the person who hurt the puppies is the same person whose killed the prostitute.

"Identical DNA samples were found at all the crime scenes, but no match in the codas databases" Hotch informs, practically reading Maya's mind.

"Even if there were a match it might not give us an I.D." JJ declares. The team now wants to know what could possibly create all of the rage that drove the killer to be so brutal. "This unsub just graduated from animals to human victims. We need to stop him before he goes serial" Hotch concludes as everyone starts to pack up their things to get on the jet.

_____

On the plane, the team on their way to Miami, the team goes over some facts about the case. Since he just started killing, he's probably in his 20s, which is a fair guess and point out that a number of serial killers have started in their 30s and 40s.

They also note that while the dogs were killed in the middle-class neighborhood where he presumably lives, the woman was killed in a slum.

"So, he left his comfort zone and killed his first human victim" Maya realizes. "A choice he probably made out of necessity" Hotch adds as he looks through crime scene photos on the tablet provided for him.

"It's hard to find easy targets in middle-class residential areas" Derek observes while Reid states, the unsub may be young.

"Yeah, when you see violence on animals it's usually done by children or teens" Maya declares, "But the jump to humans is usually made in their mid-20s" Rossi states when Alex quickly agrees remembering, Thomas Dillion started his killings at 39 and Joseph Duncan was 43.

"That's why I said usually" Rossi corrects, making Alex smile, surrendering.

Then Rossi makes the completely unsupportable statement that because the unsub killed dogs every couple of days, he's developed a taste for murder, and will doubtless kill humans at the same rate.

_____

Derek, Maya and Reid heading to a park where the last dog was found. Derek claims that the rest of the dogs were found in a nearby park, and Reid points out that one other was found in an alley a mile away. Six dead dogs, six completely different locations, all radiating around a couple of blocks where your killer almost certainly lives.

"Oh, gross" Maya cringes as she sees two teens making out near a lake.

"You remember those days?" Derek asks, "Mm, not really" Reid answers and Maya chuckles softly, "Yeah, no" Maya shakes her head.

"Well, where did you hang out as a teenager?" Derek wonders. "I didn't. I was too busy babysitting my brother. It was home, sometimes school, and then work, also sometimes" Maya answers before she looks to Reid who reminisces on his teenage days.

"Uh, I went to the library, chemistry lab, library again-". "No, no no. I'm talking about normal, non-genius teenage type of stuff. Malls, coffee shops, parks" Derek states and Maya looks around her surroundings remembering there way here.

"We passed a mall and two coffee shops on the way here" Reid realizes, "A high school, too" Derek and Maya say in unison.

"That would explain why the unsubs so impulsive. He might still be adolescent" Reid realizes while Derek gives Garcia a call. "I need your help sweetness" Derek says over the phone. "I need you to widen your search for violent offenders in the area to juveniles" Derek declares and Garcia ends the call, stating she'll call back when she gets a hit.

_____

"I didn't even know the bureau had a softball team" Alex stated, pouring herself a cup of coffee. "Since when do you play?" JJ asks, looking to Reid and Maya.

"Since Derek forced us against our will" Maya says as she flips through pages of a magazine, she found on somebody's desk. "Against your will?" Derek asks while he sits down at one of the tables.

"Don't let the skinny geek fool you. I know the good doctors deceptively athletic and Maya, you just look like you play sports" Derek declares and Maya scoffs, "I played volleyball for one year and quit" Maya states, shutting the magazine closed.

"Blake, what did you find out?" Hotch asks as he enters the station, shutting down the conversation.

"None of the pet owners had much. Each of their dogs just disappeared from their yard" Alex states. "And who did he get into their yard?" Maya asks, "Don't know but we do know he got into them unnoticed which means he stalked them and knew their patterns" JJ answers before Derek asks about the list of juvenile offenders that Garcia sent over to them team.

"The local P. D's checking out a few names that caught my eye" Hotch answers before they get word about another murder. That was quick.

Soon after, Vicky Thomas, a prostitute, was dumped far from downtown, but she's got a plastic bag over her head, just like the previous night's victim, so they assume there's a connection.

"Guys, this is a residential area, not frequented by prostitutes" Reid notices and Maya shrugs her shoulders, "He didn't kill her here. He just dumped her" Maya states as they take a look at the M.O. and how it's slightly different but she was killed with a blow to the head with a weapon rather than fists and suffocation, and lots of bite marks on the body- really weird ones, too.

"He didn't do that to the other victims" Maya states, looking at the multiple bite marks that cover the victims arms and legs. "And look at her. She's filthy. He must've rolled her around in all this trash" Derek declares while Reid points out it's probably for a forensic counter measure used to degrade the crime scene and the victim.

"So he beats and suffocates his first victim and just dumps her" Maya states, going over the kill in her head. "But this one he hits her over the head, bites her, and covers up his tracks" Maya states, showing that both kills are different and he's evolving more and more or, "This might not even be the same guy" Maya declares, looking down at the dead body laid out in the dumpster.

"No way it's a copycat this story just made the news" Reid states.

"Yeah, and look at the plastic bag" Derek adds, "He used that on both victims" Derek states and Maya shakes her head. "Nothing about this kill says young and impulsive. This one was thought through and planned out... we could be dealing with a team" Maya says as she looks over at Reid and Derek who debate the theory but starts to think it's true.

"If there are two for them, they're feeding off each other. This could turn into a spree real soon" Derek concludes, looking between Maya and Reid.

_____

The next day, the team gets word that there's been another murder. Some people of the team go to check out the latest body the next morning and discovers that she was once again killed with a hammer blow to the head.

They then come to the conclusion that the older unsub must be teaching the younger unsub, because the second two murders have a different, more refined M.O. than the first.

Profile time. The team goes over everything we already know for the assembled cops. It's an older/younger killer team. They're assuming the older one is in his late 30s to mid 40s based on no information. They say it's based on sophistication, but he's done nothing sophisticated. He picks up women in his truck, beats them to death with a hammer, then drops them in a dumpster or field. Taking no forensic countermeasures that we've seen.

_____

Later, Hotch gives Garcia a call but finds out she can't offer much help from her end because she can't find any hammer/biting M.O. cases in South Florida-so they tell her to widen the search. At the same time, Derek and Maya see someone on the offender list that catches their eye when they read information about him. Jose Aguilar.

Derek and Maya aren't bringing him in for his long police record but because he was attacked by a dude with a hammer but refused to file a police report because of how much he hates cops. When the tough kid arrives, Maya, Reid and Derek decide to interview him. Maya sitting across from him while Derek and Reid stand behind her. "We just want to ask you a few questions" Derek states before he takes a seat on the table, showing Jose he's not a threat.

"I didn't do anything. I don't know anything. We done?" Jose asks and Maya chuckles slightly, putting the attention onto her. "Uh, sorry" Maya apologizes before she leans forward in her seat and looks to Jose.

"Listen, we're not those kind of cops" Maya states and Jose scoffs, shrugging his shoulders, "Whatever you say, Mamacita" Jose states and Maya rolls her eyes.

"Okay, I was trying to be nice because I don't usually interview people but... my name is not mamacita" Maya states as she locks eyes with Jose who rolls his eyes.

"We are here because you refused to file a report when a guy attacked you with a hammer. We aren't here because we think you did something wrong. We're here to catch a murderer, two actually, so if you'd drop the bad boy act and tell me what I need to know, I'd love that" Maya rants and Jose sighs, looking around the room at Derek and Reid before leaning back in his chair.

"Fine, but I swear I ain't do nothing" Jose states, reminding that he did nothing wrong. "We believe you. We just want to know what you wouldn't tell the cops about the man that attacked you" Reid says, taking a seat next to Maya.

"I don't remember much" Jose states, looking down at his hands that lie on the table.

Reid then asks Jose to try and visualize everything leading up to his attack to see what information he could give. He just so happened to be walking by a culvert while the young unsub was torturing a dog in broad daylight. Then when he attacked the unsub to intervene, another man hammered him.

"I look up and see some dude with a hammer. He popped me one more time in the arm before I took off" Jose informs and Maya and Derek lock eyes as they continue to listen in on the story.

"Did you know the kid who was beating the dog?" Reid wonders. "Some white kid. Never seen him" Jose answers, "And the guy with the hammer?" Maya asks, wondering if it's possible Jose knew the guy but it's a no but states that the other man was older.

"Think you could describe him to a sketch artist?" Derek wonders and Jose states he can possibly describe the kid but not the older dude.

_____

Now for some more profiling. The team tries to figure out what it could mean that the two killers were already hanging out months ago and talk about how murdering teams break up eventually, when the mentee learns all, the mentor can teach them.

Garcia then calls back with some neat info. The biting plus the hammer is the M.O. of a recently deceased serial killer, Rudi Stein, who'd been in jail from some time. So now the team assumes he taught his skillset to the older unsub, and he is passing the trade along.

Garcia then checks out people who were in jail and/or corresponded with the original hammerman, and comes up with details on a man, David Roy Turner. It seems that David was in jail for beating up a young male prostitute, which is presumably why there haven't been any bite/hammer murders aimed at women. Garica states two addresses of David's and the team splits up to track David down.

Maya goes with Derek, Alex and Reid and searches David's home but finds nobody there. They come across David's laptop and calls Garcia for her to work on it.

She's searching the laptop has turned up David's photo album of him hanging out with a younger boy, along with plenty of dog toys that he bought at Hal's pet shop, despite not having a dog. So, he was stalking the younger unsub, Toby Whitewood. because of a sexual obsession, and then saw that the kid wanted to start murdering, and decided that was his in.

As Maya, Derek, Alex and Reid ride in one SUV, Derek behind the wheel. Garcia informs the team on a building that David's father used to own and sends them the address, Derek swiftly turning around and head towards the place.

But there's more, the manager at the pet store, Hollie, where David bought all his dog toys has been reported missing by her fiancé.

"If Toby had anything to do with the girls disappearance, then his victim preference is changing" Reid declares. "Or the prostitutes we're just practice for the girl he really wanted" Derek concludes before stepping on the gas.

The team rushes in just as David is planning to club the woman to death, and he announces that he doesn't want to go back to prison. He lifts the hammer up, ready to hit the women but Derek shoots him in the head, giving him exactly what we wanted. Death.

Maya quickly rushes over, untying the girl and removing the tape off of her mouth gently.

Case closed.

_____

The team is on the jet, flying back home when Hotch gets a phone call. It seems that a new victim has turned up with their mouth sewn shut, just like The Silencer.

Rossi immediately points out that it has to be a copycat. Hotch is concerned but decides not to turn the plane towards Dallas...

_____

Now to the softball field, where the FBI are up against the secret service. Maya and Reid walk up to the fence and Derek quickly runs up. "Hey!" Derek greets. "You made it. You bring a glove?" Derek asks, looking to Maya. "You know I don't own a glove" Maya states, crossing her arms over her chest.

"That's fine. You two can switch off and use the extra one I have" Derek states and Maya and Reid look to each other.

"I talked to the team, and they said since one of the guys left early because his wife had a baby, Reid can play second base and you, Maya, can bat" Derek informs and Maya shakes her head immediately.

"No, no no" Maya says while Derek nods his head. "Yeah, I can't play second base!" Reid shrieks. "No such thing as can't, kid" Derek states and Maya scoffs as she removes her sunglasses, annoyed.

"Go team!" JJ, Alex and Garcia cheer as they walk up, JJ holding Henry's hand.

"What? What are you doing here?" Maya asks as her and Reid whip their heads in their direction. "We weren't missing this for the world" JJ jokes and Maya scoffs, looking to Derek.

"No way. No way I'm doing this" Maya states and watches as Derek tilts his head, his eyes turning into begging ones while Rossi and Hotch join along.

"It's not bad to try something new" Derek says, "But it is bad to embarrass myself in front of people I see almost every day" Maya says, referring to the team that has come to watch the game.

"I'll do it, if you will" Reid says and Maya sighs defeatedly as she looks over to Reid who has a simple smile on his face. "Fine! Fine, but only because I feel bad" Maya states as she removes her jacket and hands her sunglasses to Garcia, who whistle flirtatiously while Maya struts away.

The game starts and Derek starts off first, making a home run. Now it was Maya's turn. She sighs and gets ready to bat, "Get her off the field!" One of the players on the other team shouts. "Is there a problem?" Maya asks as she stands up straight.

"Oh no" JJ mumbles from the stands. "Yeah, you're ruining the game!" The man shouts back and Maya scoffs as she slams the bat on the ground and starts to walk towards the guy.

"Hey! Hey!" Derek shouts as he rushes over to Maya and starts to pull her away, pulling her back towards the home base.

"Listen, you got this. If you don't win, that'll suck but don't let these guys get in your head" Derek states and Maya rolls her eyes, "I told you I didn't want to play with a bunch of men. This is why" Maya says, using the bat in her hand to point to the men on the other team.

"Forget about them, look" Derek says as places his hat on top of her head. Maya adjust the hat and chuckles softly before locking eyes with Derek. "Just feel it" Derek advises and Maya rolls her eyes, "Fine, whatever. But if I lose I'm hitting that guy first" Maya states and Derek laughs, nodding his head before he runs back to his base.

Maya gets ready to swing, applause echoing through her ears. "Get off the filed!" Maya hears but she blocks it out and sees the ball coming towards her, she keeps her eyes on it and swings the bat as hard as she can, hitting the bat, making it go out past the fence.

Derek runs while Maya runs all the bases, making it home to Derek. "Yeah!" Derek cheers as he wraps his arms around Maya, lifting her up, her legs wrapping around his waist.

"I told you!" Derek cheers before Maya places her feet onto the ground, looking to Derek before the rest of the team joins her on the field, patting her on the back proudly.

"I'm never doing that again" Maya informs breathlessly, making Derek laugh as he adjusts the hat on her head.

Meanwhile, right outside the fence is a car on the street. "You think she'll remember me?" The person in the car asks while the other person proceeds to take pictures of the each member of the team and how happy they are after winning the team. "I don't know but..." The person says as they snap another picture, "She'll remember me" The person concludes, snapping one last picture of Maya...

Case... opened...

"One of the weird things about life is you never know when you're being watched until you watch the watcher"
-Unknown-